Module

1.9
1.9 The Safe Storage of Water

Studies have shown that even if water is microbiologically safe when put
in storage containers, it can be quickly contaminated during storage and
use. Typical containers are often kept uncovered and do not adequately
protect water. This module will point out appropriate containers and safe
water use.

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1.9 THE SAFE STORAGE OF WATER......................................................................................................1
SYSTEMS FOR HOUSEHOLD STORAGE OF COLLECTED WATER TO PROTECT MICROBIOLOGICAL QUALITY......................2
DESIRED CHARACTERISTICS FOR SAFE WATER STORAGE VESSEL .......................................................................4
RESOURCES.............................................................................................................................................4
WATER STORAGE: narrow-necked pitchers reduce contamination....................................................4
CDC Safe Water System.........................................................................................................................4
OXFAM’s Bucket....................................................................................................................................6
Commercially Available Containers......................................................................................................6

Systems for Household Storage of Collected Water to Protect

Microbiological Quality
A review of the existing literature on collection and storage of household water revealed
that such water often comes from fecally contaminated sources and therefore poses
infectious disease risks to consumers. Furthermore, regardless of whether or not collected
household water is initially of acceptable microbiological quality, it often becomes
contaminated with pathogens of fecal origin during transport and storage due to
unhygienic storage and handling practices.

Studies show that the use of containers with narrow openings for filling and dispensing
devices such as spouts or taps/spigots, protect the collected water during storage and
household use. Many container designs also have handles, are lightweight, are made from
durable UV-resistant plastic, and are affixed with a label containing informational and
educational material on their cleaning and use. Other appropriate containers for safe
storage are those in which water can be directly treated by the physical method of solar
radiation and then directly stored and dispensed for household use. These improved
containers protect stored household water from the introduction of microbial
contaminants via contact with hands, dippers, other fecally contaminated vehicles or the
intrusion of vectors.
http://www.who.int/water_sanitation_health/dwq/wsh0207/en/index3.html (Apr 05)

Proper containers help preserve water quality after treatment. The user has gone through
a lot of work to collect water from a source, transport it to the home and then filter it
through the filter. Now that the water is clean, all precautions should be taken to ensure
that it now remains clean. The best way to do this is to use an appropriate container.
• Provide a proper container (not an open bucket) for clean water. Never use it for
dirty water.
• Provide a bucket for dirty water and use it only for dirty water.
• Once the dirty water has passed through the BioSand filter, it is recommended to
add 4 drops of bleach per litre of filtered water to ensure the highest possible
quality water. In many cases this may not be necessary, but it is a precaution to
ensure disinfected water. Also, residual chlorine in a closed container protects
against recontamination.
Module 1.9 The Safe Storage of Water

• Now that good quality water is available to the users, combine it with changes in
human behaviour through education. It is crucial to improve the hygiene practices
of the water users.

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Module 1.9 The Safe Storage of Water

Desired Characteristics for Safe Water Storage Vessel

• Single opening of 5-9 cm ( 2-3”)
diameter with a strong, tightly
fitting cover
o easy to fill but difficult to
immerse hands or utensils
• Non rusting, durable, cleanable
spigot or spout for extracting
water - 1 L in about 15 seconds
• Allow air to enter as water is
extracted
• Have volume indicators and
illustrations for safe water-
• Appropriate shape and volume handling practices on the vessel
(e.g. 10 - 30 Litres), stable base, • Stamped, sticker permanently
sturdy comfortable handle, fixed
smaller for children • Consider local demand for shape,
• Durable, light weight, non volume, colour and material
oxidizing, translucent, easy to • enhance the appeal
clean, inexpensive and locally • Cost: about USD $3.00 - $8.00
produced for CDC and OXFAM vessels
• High density polyethylene plastic • Certificate that it complies with
or similar with ultra violet requirements of Ministry of
absorbers Health or equivalent authority

Resources
WATER STORAGE: narrow-necked pitchers reduce contamination
Microbiological water quality is significantly better in narrow-necked pitchers than in
traditional wide-necked pitchers, according to a study conducted in 67 households in the
southern Punjab region of Pakistan, using surface or open-well water. There was,
however, no difference between the two storage types if the water at the source was
already of relatively poor quality or if extreme faecal pollution occurred during the filling
and washing of the pitchers. The study was carried out by researchers from the
International Water Management Institute, Sri Lanka, as part of a wider investigation into
the impact of using irrigation water for domestic purposes in Pakistan.
http://www.id21.org/urban/h10sc2g2.html (Apr 05)

CDC Safe Water System

The Center for Disease Control (CDC) in Atlanta Georgia has done an extensive program
over the last seven years to develop a household chlorination program which is called the
Safe Water System. Their web site is excellent in describing the system and has many
educational tools. A major component of the Safe Water System is the use of an

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Module 1.9 The Safe Storage of Water

appropriate container for treated water based on research that showed that
recontamination frequently occurs when inappropriate containers were used.
http://www.cdc.gov/safewater (Apr 05)

• CDC Safe Water System program manual

o Section 5.3: Choosing a vessel for water storage in the home
o Annex D Item D: Worksheet for assessing possible household water
storage vessels
• There is also an 11 minute video on the safe water system which shows the CDC
water container
• The CDC web site also has current information on manufacturers of vessels and
molds for building plastic containers

The following was taken from the CDC Safe Water System manual which describes the
experience of the CDC with their appropriate container efforts:

“Various containers were evaluated by both PAHO (Pan American Health Organization) and
CDC. Several were found in the United States that complied with almost all of the requirements
and they were purchased and shipped to the initial demonstration projects in Latin America. As
part of the project, after practical use, they were evaluated by both health officials and
participants for suitability, durability, ease of use, preferable volume and the design features
listed earlier. Because the cost of shipping long distances is almost equal to the cost of the
container, the need for local manufacture was apparent.”

“In Bolivia all of the containers have been 5 gallon or 20 litre polyethylene containers that were
manufactured in the United States, but the mold has been sold to a local manufacturer so they
can be produced in Bolivia. Local production is scheduled to commence in 1996 and, depending
upon public acceptance, may be mass produced to serve the entire country. In the Dominican
Republic, Nicaragua and Colombia the same 20 litre containers have been used, but in Colombia
a 55 gallon ferrocement container which was produced locally was also tested. In Colombia, the
GTZ is also financing a project in the private sector to design and produce a trial run of suitable
plastic containers. In Guatemala and in Ecuador the containers were produced by retrofitting
locally manufactured plastic containers with faucets. In Peru several designs have been
produced and manufactured commercially, but all have a capacity of 20 litres.”

“In Bolivia, Colombia and Nicaragua a small percentage of the participating households were
also provided with a locally fabricated sand filter to pretreat the water before its disinfection in
the house hold containers. Such pretreatment does increase the efficiency of disinfection and
improve the aesthetic quality of the water.”

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Module 1.9 The Safe Storage of Water

OXFAM’s Bucket
Another highly recommended container is the OXFAM Bucket. The importance of having
a water container in an emergency situation cannot be over estimated. Often, refugees
fleeing from conflict will arrive in a refugee camp or a village with virtually no
possessions. One of the first activities they will need to carry out is the collection of water.
Therefore, the rapid distribution of water containers in emergency situations is crucial,
which is why Oxfam’s Technical Unit has developed a more appropriate design of water
container than previously used.
http://oxfam.org.uk/what_we_do/emergencies/how_we_work/factfile/oxfam_bucket.htm (Apr 05)

The following information was obtained from OXFAM regarding pricing and specs for
their bucket:

Pallet of 200 Units

Pallet GW: 220 kg
Volume: 1.440 m3
Pack dimensions: 120 × 120 × 100 cm

Item Qty Description

1. 1 pallet 200 stackable 14 litre water containers with taps.
Specialised features are:
• 14 litre capacity, removable tight-fit lid
• Opening in lid with a cap attached
• 190 Plastic taps one at the bottom of each
container & 10 spare
• Plastic handle attached
• Bottom ridge ovalling
• Reinforced top
• Tough durable UV treated plastic (suitable for food
& drinking water)
• Curved inside base to wall join for easy cleaning

The price of the water container is £2.62 for sale to other agencies
(i.e. £529 per pallet of 200 water containers). Pallets cannot be split.

Commercially Available Containers

There are commercially available water
containers which can be purchased in many
places throughout North America. Many of
these can be found in camping or outdoor
retail stores or through dealers that handle
camping equipment. The following is one
such container and the supplier.
http://www.forestry-suppliers.com/product_pages/view_catalog_page.asp?ID=6044 (Apr 05)

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